Group students in pairs, and ask each group to create six flashcards – one for each taxonomic kingdom. Have students use either index cards or cut out blank cards from white paper, ensuring that all groups have the same sized cards. Tell students they should not write the kingdom name on the cards. Instruct students to use the Internet to find photos of one organism that represents each kingdom. Students can go online and browse around the Encyclopedia of Life.
Ask students to draw the organism on one side of the card. On the reverse side of the card, students list some of the organism’s key characteristics.
On the top half of the card, students list characteristics that identify it into the domain and kingdom. On the bottom half of the card, ask students to list any other characteristics they think scientists may use to classify the organism into a smaller grouping. Students draw a line between these two different characteristic lists to clearly separate them.
When all the cards are completed, shuffle all of the cards together and then deal them out equally among the students. Designate three “domain stations” where students sort and place the cards in the appropriate domain. Once all the cards are sorted, review the collection at each station, asking students as a class to verify that every card belongs in that domain. Then, set up six stations, so that each station represents a kingdom. Deal out each domain in three different sorting rounds. For each round, ask students to place their dealt cards into the correct kingdom. When all cards are sorted, review each kingdom to verify accurate placement.
Guiding Questions:
1. What are the three domains of classification for living organisms?
2. What basic characteristics do I need to know about organisms in order to classify into a kingdom?
3. How do scientists classify things?
Vocabulary
matter
abiotic
biotic
organisms
populations
prokaryotic
eukaryotic
unicellular
multicellular
autotrophic
heterotrophic
kingdom
communities
classification
domains
taxon
Webquests
6.12ab - Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
What is a cell?
Types of cells
Eukaryotic vs. Prokaryotic
6.12cd - Classification of Organisms
Domains of Life
Autotrophs and Heterotrophs
Classification into Kingdoms
Web Adventures: MedMyst
Tinkerbell Nana
Other Classification Websites
Classification Chart
Classification and the Arctic HareClassification Game
Another Classification Game
Classifying Life
Classification for Kids
eWord Game
How to Use a Microscope
How to Use a MicroscopeMicroscope Use
Classification Shuffle
Group students in pairs, and ask each group to create six flashcards – one for each taxonomic kingdom. Have students use either index cards or cut out blank cards from white paper, ensuring that all groups have the same sized cards. Tell students they should not write the kingdom name on the cards. Instruct students to use the Internet to find photos of one organism that represents each kingdom. Students can go online and browse around the Encyclopedia of Life.Ask students to draw the organism on one side of the card. On the reverse side of the card, students list some of the organism’s key characteristics.
On the top half of the card, students list characteristics that identify it into the domain and kingdom. On the bottom half of the card, ask students to list any other characteristics they think scientists may use to classify the organism into a smaller grouping. Students draw a line between these two different characteristic lists to clearly separate them.
When all the cards are completed, shuffle all of the cards together and then deal them out equally among the students. Designate three “domain stations” where students sort and place the cards in the appropriate domain. Once all the cards are sorted, review the collection at each station, asking students as a class to verify that every card belongs in that domain. Then, set up six stations, so that each station represents a kingdom. Deal out each domain in three different sorting rounds. For each round, ask students to place their dealt cards into the correct kingdom. When all cards are sorted, review each kingdom to verify accurate placement.